FLEAS OMG! Grrr!!!

[Cindy_17]

Okay I have got an issue and need help! I noticed Presley & Holly scratching, at first I didn't think much of it, it has turned cold and I keep clothes on them, so I thought maybe it was the clothes...but noooo..its fleas!! I have Mosquito Magician which is wonderful for fleas through the irrigation system, well it's winter and our irrigation system is winterized and shut down, my husband has his commercial pesticide license and is going tomorrow to get the strongest stuff to spray the yard -so yard will be taken care of. I have cleaned myself into a frenzy today, hardwood, carpeting and tile, moved furniture, vacuuming EVERYTHING and everywhere. Washed rugs, blankets, bedding etc. I bathed them both in dawn dishwashing liquid and got 4-5 fleas off each of them, but when blow drying Presley I found two more alive I JUST put Frontline Plus on them December 28th. I've never had this problem and am at a loss as to what I can do and where the heck they are coming from!!! We have had below freezing temps here at night for the past week! Shouldn't they be dead or whatever happens to them in the winter??

I am in South Carolina, we personally did not flood back in October and even more recently (not near as bad as Oct. flooding) but the flood waters were all around us a and we did have standing water in our yard for awhile. It has been extremely wet and hot up until the last week and a half. We were 80 plus all through Christmas season. Since our scare with the hawk and owl I don't let Presley or Holly out, we have switched to the potty pads inside, they do go with me quite a bit so I dunno where these fleas are coming from!

My question is that it has been only a couple of weeks since I put Front Line on them, would it not be dangerous to give them another flea treatment?? I am going to call the vet tomorrow for their opinion, but I would love to hear some experience with this and any other suggestions for these dang fleas

[Wylie's Mom]

What about something more natural, following the Front Line...? Like Neem Oil or something along those lines...

[Cindy_17]

I talked to the vets office this morning and they told me they are having major problems with fleas. She said I could give Capstar immediately and then put them on Bravecta, but I can't start it for at least a couple of weeks due to me putting frontline on them Dec. 28. Do you know anything about Capstar or Bravecta? I have never used these products...blah!

[ritapatt]

I am seeing fleas for maybe the second time in 15 years- Even tho we live in FL this year has to be the worst- I sprayed and closed off the grass part of the side yard and the pups are only allowed on the patio block- Yesterday I saw fleas jumping on the stones!
I ordered Activyl online (the only topical my vet says works against the fleas here) and can't wait for it to arrive- the pups are tired of the baths( I tried neem based shampoo- not a fan) and combings 3x a day! My vacuum is getting a workout- thankful I don't have any carpet.

[1014hernandez]

Maybe use front line and flea shampoo on normal basis until gone. Poor thing!

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Cindy_17

I talked to the vets office this morning and they told me they are having major problems with fleas. She said I could give Capstar immediately and then put them on Bravecta, but I can't start it for at least a couple of weeks due to me putting frontline on them Dec. 28. Do you know anything about Capstar or Bravecta? I have never used these products...blah!

Bravecta is relatively new. This article says the active ingredient is "fluralaner, a new ectoparasiticide belonging to the isoxazoline group." Never heard of it.

Merck Releases 12-Week Flea, Tick Medicine - Veterinary Practice News - May 2014

Teddy sends his sympathy for Presley and Holly. He is highly allergic to fleas. I don't know what we are going to do this year because Frontline does not seem to do anything. We tried a couple other topical preventatives and Teddy reacted negatively to them.

We had a couple fleas last year. Rinsing Teddy in apple cider vinegar/water mix at the end of his bath helped.

I had never seen a flea in the first 42 - 43 years of my life. Now they seem to be a big problem everywhere.

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by ritapatt

I am seeing fleas for maybe the second time in 15 years- Even tho we live in FL this year has to be the worst- I sprayed and closed off the grass part of the side yard and the pups are only allowed on the patio block- Yesterday I saw fleas jumping on the stones!
I ordered Activyl online (the only topical my vet says works against the fleas here) and can't wait for it to arrive- the pups are tired of the baths( I tried neem based shampoo- not a fan) and combings 3x a day! My vacuum is getting a workout- thankful I don't have any carpet.

Oh I feel your pain! The fleas have come out of NOWHERE! I have carpet in the bedrooms and an area rug in my living room, I am going to shampoo the carpets today and I am just chunking the rug out, which is my only silver lining in this situation, I have been looking a reason to throw that rug out and buy a new one lol. My husband picked up the Capstar yesterday so I didn't go to the vets office, but I have got to research what to use, I am nervous when it comes to meds for my pups.

Lol you sound like me combing! I feel like a mama monkey looking bugs on my babies

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by 1014hernandez

Maybe use front line and flea shampoo on normal basis until gone. Poor thing!

At this point I am thinking Front Line is not what it's cracked up to be, sigh...its baths and vacuums here, it's crazy

[Cindy_17]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Bravecta is relatively new. This article says the active ingredient is "fluralaner, a new ectoparasiticide belonging to the isoxazoline group." Never heard of it.

Merck Releases 12-Week Flea, Tick Medicine - Veterinary Practice News - May 2014

Teddy sends his sympathy for Presley and Holly. He is highly allergic to fleas. I don't know what we are going to do this year because Frontline does not seem to do anything. We tried a couple other topical preventatives and Teddy reacted negatively to them.

We had a couple fleas last year. Rinsing Teddy in apple cider vinegar/water mix at the end of his bath helped.

I had never seen a flea in the first 42 - 43 years of my life. Now they seem to be a big problem everywhere.

I am beyond frustrated who has ever worried about fleas in January, it's nuts!
Thank you for the info. On Bravecta, I am scared to use it, I'm gonna have to talk to the vet...

When my children were little I was always scared to death they would get lice, thank GOD they never did, but I have learned fleas give me the same feeling itchy, dirty, and not a happy mama! I am washing my bed sheets daily as both sleep with us and I'm not even gonna say how often the vacuum is getting used

Poor Teddy, mine are scratching, so today when they get their bath I am going to try the apple cider vinegar and maybe it will soothe them too, thanks for that tip! I know it sounds like you can see fleas jumping in my house and on my dogs lol, it's not like that but I know it can turn into that and I am paranoid that it will

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Cindy_17

I am beyond frustrated who has ever worried about fleas in January, it's nuts!
Thank you for the info. On Bravecta, I am scared to use it, I'm gonna have to talk to the vet...

When my children were little I was always scared to death they would get lice, thank GOD they never did, but I have learned fleas give me the same feeling itchy, dirty, and not a happy mama! I am washing my bed sheets daily as both sleep with us and I'm not even gonna say how often the vacuum is getting used

Poor Teddy, mine are scratching, so today when they get their bath I am going to try the apple cider vinegar and maybe it will soothe them too, thanks for that tip! I know it sounds like you can see fleas jumping in my house and on my dogs lol, it's not like that but I know it can turn into that and I am paranoid that it will

I remember a lice outbreak in my 2nd grade class and the nurse had to look through everyone's hair -- thankfully I escaped it! Fleas are nasty little boogers and make me mad too.

Wet or dry climate doesn't matter. My friends in drought-ridden California had problems last year too.

Make sure you vacuum your car too if your babies have been in the car.

The apple cider vinegar/water solution helps relieve itching and may help repel new fleas from jumping on them when they go outdoors, according to some sources. Teddy also has a med spray from the vet for when he has bites.

[ritapatt]

We got the delivery of Activyl yesterday evening, I called my dd to bring her dog over (she had stayed with us over the holidays- and was chewing her front leg with flea bites!) Within 2 hours we found a flea just laying on Abby's hair.I did not find any in this mornings comb out- but some flea dirt.I am hoping for the best- I don't like the crawly feeling either! Careful-the cider vinegar rinses can sting if they have any reddened chew spots.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by ritapatt

We got the delivery of Activyl yesterday evening, I called my dd to bring her dog over (she had stayed with us over the holidays- and was chewing her front leg with flea bites!) Within 2 hours we found a flea just laying on Abby's hair.I did not find any in this mornings comb out- but some flea dirt.I am hoping for the best- I don't like the crawly feeling either! Careful-the cider vinegar rinses can sting if they have any reddened chew spots.

Yes, definitely don't put it on sore spots.

[Parti Peanut]

When we had our large dog and the Frontline stopped working for her, the vet recommended Comfortis. It really worked for fleas. It's a pill though, not a topical. I don't know if it can be given to little dogs though.

[TxVicki]

Originally Posted by Parti Peanut

When we had our large dog and the Frontline stopped working for her, the vet recommended Comfortis. It really worked for fleas. It's a pill though, not a topical. I don't know if it can be given to little dogs though.

To use Comfortis the dog must weigh over 5 pounds and must be given with food.

[Rachael1983]

Our vet gives capstar before each boarding . . I think it kills right away. I'm sorry you're experiencing this,